China, Russia at odds with US over Venezuela

UNATED NATION, Jan 27, 2019, NHK World. Tense discussions at the UN Security Council on the political crisis in Venezuela have resulted in no action, reported the NHK World.

Civil unrest continues and more than 20 people died when security forces fired at anti-government protestors.

The Latin American country has been plagued with high inflation under President Nicolas Maduro’s administration. Over three million people are said to have fled to neighboring countries due to a lack of food and medicine.

Earlier this month the head of the nation’s opposition-controlled National Assembly, Juan Guaido, declared himself the interim president.

At a meeting requested by the United States on Saturday, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo said an election in May last year, in which President Maduro’s declared victory, exacerbated the situation. She said that the country’s opposition has not accepted his re-election.

The US and European nations call for a fresh, fair election, while China and Russia say intervention should be avoided.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized Maduro and his administration for failing to govern and repressing people.

He went on to say that other countries should pick a side, calling for support to recognize Guaido as president.

European and Latin American countries urge Maduro to call elections.

But China and Russia, both of which have close ties with Venezuela, were joined by South Africa and Indonesia in saying that Venezuela is not a threat to the international community. They said that Maduro should be allowed to conduct political dialogue.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza reiterated that the offer of dialogue is still on the table but strongly rejected any outside interference.